habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈha-bə-ˌtat 

1

a

: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows

b

: the typical place of residence of a person or a group

the arctic habitat of the Inuit

c

: a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live under surrounding inhospitable conditions (as under the sea)

2

: the place where something is commonly found

has its natural habitat in university, in government, or in industrial laboratories

—B. B. Watson

Synonyms

• home
• niche
• range
• territory

Examples of habitat in a Sentence

a forest in California is set aside to preserve the unique brushy, rugged habitat required by nesting California condors

Recent Examples on the Web

This normally reclusive species of spider is found across Europe in dark and damp habitats. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2025

Rather than forfeit their habitat, the snakes have resourcefully adapted with it, riding the rising plateau into the cold, thin air from their poolside hangouts. —Ryley Graham, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2025

The animal rights organization believes Phil is being exploited and would be happier living in his natural habitat. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025

Representatives of the local Sierra Club chapter and the nonprofit Preserve Calavera both spoke in favor of the project, in part because more than 35 acres of the site will be set aside as native habitat under a permanent conservation easement. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, it inhabits, from habitare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈhab-ə-ˌtat 

: the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows

Medical Definition

habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈhab-ə-ˌtat 

1

: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally occurs

the human pubic region is the natural habitat of the crab louse

2

: a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live surrounded by inhospitable conditions (as under the sea)